By Femi Dansu
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has opened applications for the fifth phase of its flagship Graduate Agripreneurship Programme, offering a grant of ₦1.5 million to selected young alumni to establish and scale agricultural enterprises.
The initiative, launched in 2022 through a partnership between FUNAAB and the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), was aimed at addressing youth unemployment by empowering graduates with the resources and support required to build sustainable agribusiness ventures.
Under the programme, successful applicants in Phase V would receive a ₦1.5 million grant to establish and develop their agricultural enterprises on or around the University campus. The funding is intended to support key start-up needs, including procurement of inputs and operational setup.
According to an official announcement by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dairo, he described the programme as part of the University’s strategic commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among young graduates.
He said that the programme seeks to identify and support young innovators who view agriculture not merely as a traditional practice but as a viable and profitable business venture capable of driving economic growth.
Since its inception, the programme has successfully produced 16 agripreneurs across four phases, creating a growing network of young agricultural entrepreneurs contributing to food production and agribusiness development.
To be eligible for the fifth phase, applicants must be graduates of FUNAAB from the Colleges of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), Environmental Resources Management (COLERM), or Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT). Applicants must also have graduated within the last four years, completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), fall within the age bracket of 21–35 years, and demonstrate a strong interest in agribusiness. Evidence of prior engagement in agricultural activities would be considered an added advantage.
Interested candidates are required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) accompanied by a detailed business plan outlining how the ₦1.5 million grant would be utilised to develop a sustainable agribusiness venture. Applicants are also expected to include a personal essay explaining why they are suitable for the programme.
Successful candidates would be required to establish their agribusiness enterprises within the vicinity of the University and comply with the programme’s stipulated terms and conditions. All applications must be submitted electronically to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor via dvcd@funaab.edu.ng on or before Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
